The Dangers Of Overbroad Work Rules

Law360 (March 12, 2007, 12:00 AM EDT) -- Most employers across the United States have a compilation of work rules—some more detailed than others—to guide their employees' workplace conduct.

However well-intentioned and necessary to establish workplace norms, without careful drafting and review, work rules can be framed in ways that can cause them to be overbroad and lead to legal exposure under the National Labor Relations Act, the federal law that gives employees the right to engage in concerted activity (e.g., join a union).